Legendary Lucas helped turn NBA on its ear from his arrival

The common perception of Maurice Lucas was of a glowering power forward who intimidated opponents on the floor.

But off the court, Lucas was a teddy bear who had a quick laugh and a big heart. It was a juxtaposition of his on-the-court persona.

His death yesterday at the age of 58 is a huge loss for the NBA. It brings back a lot of good memories of the dominant power forward who shaped Portland’s only NBA title team with his leadership and toughness.

Lucas was a key player in the latter stages of the old American Basketball Association. Spurs fans from that era will remember him as a member of the Spirits of St. Louis with Marvin Barnes, Fly Williams and the rest. Lucas finished his ABA career playing with the old Kentucky Colonels.

After the league folded, Lucas had an immediate effect on the NBA in his first season. He was the second pick in the ABA dispersal draft behind Artis Gilmore. But Lucas’ value was immediately shown as he helped lead the Trail Blazers to a title in his first season there, leading that championship team in minutes played, field goals, free throws, offensive rebounds and scoring. He was the muscle inside who helped Bill Walton direct that team with his all-around skills.

Lucas changed the 1977 championship series with a wild brawl with Darryl Dawkins as the Trail Blazers were in the midst of falling behind 2-0 after the first two games at Philadelphia. But that incident helped changed the series as the Trail Blazers charged back for a 4-2 series victory and the only NBA title in that franchise’s history.

Lucas was beloved by his teammates because of his leadership. That respect followed during two stints as an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers. He was working on Nate McMillan’s staff last season when he resigned when his health became a concern.

John Canzano of the Oregonian has a touching piece on Lucas in the Oregonian. And Jack Ramsay, the coach of that 1977 championship team, told the Oregonian’s Jason Quick that Lucas was the “heart” and “strength” of that team.

The bond between Lucas and Walton was particularly tight. Walton knew that the presence of Lucas to do the dirty work inside gave him the opportunity to do other things that helped his team. And that 1977 championship team with Lucas and Walton before injuries ravaged his career might have been one of the best one-season teams in NBA history.

Walton respected Lucas so much that he named his son, Luke, after him. The fact that Luke Walton has become a member of two championship Lakers teams is a testament to his benefactor.